Disclaimer- The only thing I own in this story is the puppy, Black. Everything else is legally J.K. Rowling's.

A/N- I am so sorry for the lack of updating. But, in my defence, I've had assessments coming out of my ears (at this time of year!) as well as the fact that we recently moved and I didn't have the internet for awhile. Hopefully this chapter makes up for the small chapters that were before this, a result of lack of a muse. But, after half this chapter sat here for ages, my muse came back! So, enjoy!

Chapter Eleven

The Terrible Twos – Part Three

Hermione just stared at Harry, very conscious of the fact that her hair was hissing at her menacingly. Somehow she wouldn't have been very surprised to find that Harry had made the snakes insult her in a language she couldn't understand.

Harry met her eyes defiantly, his large green orbs betraying only a hint of hurt and betrayal, anger prominent in them. And suddenly Hermione was reminded of another time, a year or so ago, when she and Harry had had an argument.

Flashback

Harry had been sitting calmly in the chair before the fire by himself. Ron had long since gone to bed with complaints of a severe headache, and he was left to wait up for Hermione, who had managed to get herself detention with Snape for 'speaking out of turn' once too many times in class. He was flicking through his Standard Book of Spells book, stopping every now and then to look at a spell that seemed to interest him.

He was so engrossed in his book that he jumped as Hermione stomped into the common room and threw herself onto the couch next to his chair, her face as black as a storm cloud. Cautiously Harry put down his book and sat up straighter.

"Hermione?" he asked carefully.

Hermione started and looked at him with wide eyes. Harry could relate. It had, after all, only been yesterday that Harry had tentatively run the idea of Crookshanks eating Scabbers as it was his nature and he knew that she thought that he was siding with Ron. But, truthfully, Harry didn't want to side with either of them until he found the whole truth.

"Harry?" she asked, surprised. "What are you doing up?"

"Waiting for you of course," Harry said matter-of-factly.

"Why?" she asked uncomprehendingly.

"Well, you always wait up for me when I had detention," Harry explaining, wondering why Hermione was narrowing her eyes suddenly. "I thought I'd return the favour."

"Oh, so you felt sorry for me then?" Hermione asked stiffly.

Harry's eyes widened.

"No," he hurriedly tried to reassure her. "But you're my best friend and…"

"I thought Ron was your best friend," Hermione said snidely.

"Yes, he is, but so are you!" Harry said, beginning to feel angry.

"I don't need you to run around after me!" Hermione snarled. "I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself."

"And of being completely unreasonable as well obviously!" Harry retorted. "I stayed up for you because you are my friend! Not because I don't think you can't look after yourself! I'm sorry, I won't do it again!"

"Good!" Hermione shot back. "I don't need you, or Ron! You go and side with him, like you always do…"

"Is that what this is about?" he asked incredulously. "You think I've sided with Ron? I haven't! I was just running a simple suggestion by you, but you took it the wrong way."

"You… didn't side with Ron?" asked Hermione tentatively.

"I can't pass judgement until I know the truth, Hermione," Harry said angrily, standing up.

He looked like he was about to say something more, but instead he walked away with a noise of exasperation. He walked up the stairs as quietly as possible, mindful of the Gryffindors trying to sleep, and disappeared from view.

Hermione just sat where she was, her mouth gaping open.

End Flashback

No one except her and Harry knew that that argument had been the real reason for the rift between the two when Scabbers had supposedly been eaten by Crookshanks. Ron just thought that Harry had sided with him, but in actuality Harry didn't talk to her because she had been so unreasonable.

But that time had been completely different. She had felt hurt, betrayed by the two she had thought were her friends, and she had lashed out at Harry when he tried to show her that he hadn't abandoned her and he was still willing to be her friend along with Ron. She had lashed out because she hadn't wanted to hear him say that he didn't want to be her friend any longer.

So when Harry had gotten the Firebolt for Christmas she had tried to show him how much she cared for him too by making sure that he wouldn't get hurt. But instead he had let his distress at how she had acted overrule his judgement and let it turn into anger, covered by pretending he was angry that she had got the broom taken away.

Hermione shook her head and came out of her thoughts, fiddling with the end of her blouse and keeping her eyes on the white material. She wasn't exactly sure why she was so nervous, she just knew that Harry's steady gaze was making her fidget in a way that her mum's used to when she had been caught doing something she wasn't supposed to be doing.

Ron nudged her in the side and gave her a significant look. Hermione opened her mouth, but she found, for once, that she was at a total loss for words. What could she say? Sorry, Harry, I wasn't sure what I was saying? It would be a complete lie, not to mention a simple apology somehow did not seem enough.

Not sure what to do, really, Hermione sat on the ground with a small sigh.

"I don't know what to say, Harry," she admitted aloud. "Sorry just isn't good enough. You tried to tell me something and I ignored you."

Something flared briefly in his eyes for a moment, but it was gone so soon that she was sure she had imagined it.

"Even though it isn't good enough, though," Hermione continued, "I would still like to say that I'm sorry for yelling at you and saying all those things to you, and for treating you like you were older then you actually are right now. And if there is anything… anything at all that I could do to make it up to you, I would do it."

It would have been at this point that Hermione would have worried about making such an offer. She would have been scared that she would be asked to do something embarrassing or something like that.

Right now she was beyond caring though. She felt she would deserve anything he sent her way.

Harry watched her curiously for a moment, no doubt wondering at her sincerity. Ron stayed in the background, watching was happening, but this time ready to step in if anything got out of hand.

After a moment Harry seemed to nod to himself and he walked over to Hermione and sat himself down in her lap. He looked up at her surprise with childish innocence and a wide smile.

"Will you listen now, 'Mione?" he asked shyly.

Hermione stared down at him, blinking. Whatever she had been expecting, it had not been this, and she wondered vaguely if he perhaps had another trick up his sleeve.

"Or course, Harry," she found herself saying.

Harry beamed and then looked down, threading his fingers together. Hermione vaguely wondered where he had picked up that particular habit as he hadn't done that before the change.

"I don't mean to, 'Mione," he finally said, looking up. "There's me, and me, and me."

'Me, and me, and me'? Hermione thought, bewildered. What does he mean by that?

"What do you mean by that, Harry?" she asked.

Harry's brow furrowed in frustration.

"Not angry," he tried to explain again. "More feelings. But I don' unnerstan', 'Mione."

Don't understand… what doesn't he understand.

"Not me," he tried again. "Not Harry here. There's me, and then another me…"

Hermione's eyes suddenly widened in comprehension and her expression cleared to one of understand. Now she knew exactly what was going on.

"I understand, Harry," she breathed.

She had wondered if this would happen, and had half-hoped it wouldn't for Harry's sake. But she had known it would, he had shown signs of it happening for awhile now.

Harry may have been severely de-aged from a botched potion, but that didn't mean everything from his previous young life and his teenaged life was erased. Things were different now. And he was beginning to get flashes of things that had already happened to him at the same age with the Dursleys. He was probably beginning to wonder what was going on.

That was what was distressing him. That was why he went from good to bad so quickly and suddenly. He was frustrated with not known what was happening to him and he was taking it out on those around him.

Just as she had taken out her frustrations at his behaviour at him because she hadn't understood what was so wrong.

Now the difficult part; how was she to explain this to Harry?

Dumbledore.

It would be the easy way out, admittedly, but she wasn't sure how to explain it to him and she knew Dumbledore would not confuse him and would be able to fill in all of the blanks, some of which she still had.

"I think we are all due for a long chat with Dumbledore, don't you think Harry?" she asked. "We need to go and talk to him and ask for his advice."

"To see Granda?" Harry asked hopefully.

"Yes," nodded Hermione.

"And Grandma, and Pafoot, and Moony, and Artur?" he asked.

"They need to hear too," agreed Hermione.

"And mama Molly, too?" he asked somewhat shyly.

Hermione nodded and smiled.

"They should all be in the Great Hall about now," she said, looking at her watch. "Let us go join him for dinner, shall we? We can ask them there."

Harry nodded. Ron moved forwards with a smile, noticing with relief that his hair had gone red again, but Hermione had not changed. Either Harry had forgotten about it, or he was purposely doing it.

For the first time in a while Harry put his arms around Hermione's neck so she could pick him up and they rose off the ground. Quickly they headed to the Great Hall, Hermione intent on speaking to Dumbledore as soon as possible.

When they reached the double doors, however, Hermione paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. Harry watched her curiously, wondering what she was going to do. She smiled at him and pushed the doors open.

The students stopped and stared as Hermione Granger walked into the room with Harry's charms still on. But she took no notice of them as she walked proudly across the room with a small smile on her face, her head held high. In her arms Harry beamed up at her and his eyes sparkled.

Half-way through the Hall Harry waved his hand and she went back to normal. She smiled at him and he beamed back. For the first time in a long time all could once again see the tentative bond that had formed between the two before something had come between them. The bond of a brother and a sister.

They reached Dumbledore, who was positively beaming at the two of them. Ron was behind them with a wide smile on his face, thankful that everything had turned out perhaps even better then it had been before.

"What can I do with the three of you?" the headmaster asked.

"I think, sir, that we need an explanation," Hermione said quietly. "It is quite long overdue and I think Harry, in particular, is dying to know just what is going on."

"Very well then," Dumbledore said with a nod. "And after this meeting you should go down to the potions classroom. Professor Snape believes he has found a cure."

Hermione smiled brightly and Ron laughed. They would, of course, be sorry to see their small friend go, but they also could not wait to be able to hold conversations with the older Harry.

Later that night Ron, Hermione and Harry found themselves walking together down to the dungeons where Professors Dumbledore and Snape were awaiting them. The headmaster had already gone and told them to wait fifteen minutes before following in case there was a problem.

Everyone else was waiting in their rooms, sitting and keeping their fingers crossed that everything was okay.

Little Harry, on the other hand, was rather cheerful. He had been told a great many things, most of which he had only gotten the gist of it, but at least he now knew a little of what was happening to him.

When they got to the classroom they found not only the two professors waiting for them, but Madam Pomfrey as well, who had taken a special liking to the small toddler. The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes was slightly dimmed, Madam Pomfrey looked anxious, and Snape looked like he couldn't wait to get this over and done with. The potions professor had made no secret of the fact that he hated the two-year-old Harry Potter much more then he had ever hated the sixteen-year-old.

The potion he was holding was an odd murky sort of blue with black swirling through it. It barely looked drinkable and Harry took one look at it and made a face at it.

"Come on, Harry, let's get you back to normal," Hermione said, leading him over to the table they were standing on.

Ron took the vial from the potions professor and held it out to the toddler. For a moment it seemed Harry would refuse it, but then he glanced up at Hermione and reached out to take the vial.

Everyone watched him in anticipation. Harry quickly swallowed the potion in the vial and gave it back to Ron. He stood there and stared back at them.

Nothing happened.

With a sigh everyone relaxed, Snape looking incredibly frustrated as he scrutinised the small drops of potion that was left in the vial.

Suddenly Harry was encased in a bright circle of white light and everyone shielded their eyes. It flared bright for a second and then faded away, revealing Harry, who was now sitting on the floor.

At first glance it would seem that nothing had happened. But slowly they noticed that, while he was no less child-like, he seemed bigger then before.

Madam Pomfrey immediately hurried forward and waved her wand over him, muttering something. Harry looked up and tried to grab the wand, giggling as a blue light washed over him. Madam Pomfrey's eyes widened and she quickly put her wand in her pocket before Harry could get it, turning to his guardians.

"Congratulations, you are now in the care of a four year old toddler."

A/N- I'm glad this chapter is finally finished, and I'm actually working on the rest of this story now. Harry and Hermione have been stuck in shown-down for awhile; I'm glad I could finally move them. Next chapter there should be an explanation as to what is happening with Harry's change.

Any of you who are particularly picky about grammar may have noticed that I made a change of the gramma kind. I'm so proud that I finally realised that I have to put a comma in front of someone's name!

Coming up- Chapter Twelve; Teaching Hermione. Hermione is particularly worried about the thing that led to the whole fiasco in the first place; her lack of patience with a young child. So she asks Ron to teach her.

Reviews!

The day after I posted this chapter I clicked on the button to check my emails and I got almost fourteen reviews back in one! I was so shocked! Thank you all so much to those who are still with this story, despite my lack of updates sometimes!

athenakitty- What are Planned Parents? Snape is going to be as fast as possible in preparing this antidote; he doesn't like little Harry any better then big Harry! grins there's still plenty of time for him to strike. It hadn't planned to be, but this story is going to be longer then anticipated.

hittocerebattosai- laughs You and me both!

deitarion/SSokolow- That's alright. It's enough to see that you're still with me!

Haunt of twilight- The part with Remus and Sirius has to be one of my favourite parts in the story. And I know it may seem Harry let Hermione off a little too easy in this chapter, but he hasn't forgotten, though he has forgiven. She's learning though.

fireyhell- looks innocent Oh, I have some other things in store for them…

jka1- I don't think it will be all that long before Hermione learns, really, with what Harry can do. grins

Zal- Thanks! That's probably one of the best compliments you could have given me! And Harry too.

Becky Yuy- I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my muse sticks around! Hopefully it should be a lot longer this time!

imgonnadie- Congrats! You've hit upon one of the focal points of the story. Other things will happen, but that's what I'm focusing on, because everything leads to something else, right?

Rabid Reader 4- beams Thank you. It's so nice to know when I am doing something right!

Lurk- Ah! You reminded me! I will work on that as soon as possible! It's nice to know someone else shares that opinion, I've always loved reading those types of stories. I'm hoping, now he's four and ready to display more mannerisms, it won't be long before they all find out. And yes, he was losing influence, but he's come back now that he's past that stage. And finally (I feel no guilt admitting this because it wouldn't be much of an ending if it didn't happen) yes, sixteen-year-old Harry will be changed by the events that occurred when he was de-aged. beams Thanks for sending such a long review!

zibben- This is generally a funny story! I think I may have strayed a little in the last few chapters, but I'm back on track now!

Special Circumstance- I will do so as soon as possible, particularly with Christmas holidays coming up!

Aldavinur- I'm pleased that you think that, because that's what I though too. I had no idea she would get such a tongue-lashing when she was harsh! However, everything leads to another, and Hermione is going to learn a few things that will be good for how she converses with Harry in the future. And yes, I do agree that he will begin to see them as such… but not as much as say Molly and Sirius. You need to remember that right now Hermione is more a big sister tho him then anything else right now. With Ron, though, with how responsible he's been acting… well, its something to think about, isn't it?